Rainbow Dynamics has released its 4D pallet shuttle automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS). The company says it is the first 4D system available in the UK.

The UK robotic and automated materials handling solutions specialist says the AS/RS has been designed to maximise the use of as much square meterage available in ambient and cold store warehouse facilities, operating at temperatures down to -25C.

Rainbow Dynamics says the system does not require multiple aisle-ways, with pallets fed into or retrieved by forklifts from a series of ‘storage channels’ that make up the rack structure.

Incoming loads are placed on to the pallet carrier at the entrance to the allocated storage tunnel. The pallet carrier then travels to the furthest point in the tunnel where it deposits the load before returning to its original position. 

The pallet carrier can then either receive another pallet for storage within the same ‘tunnel’ or be easily and safely picked up by the forklift and switched to another location within the storage system.

Rainbow Dynamics global vice president, Frazer Watson, says the system responds to the need to maximise pallet density within storage facilities.

“With good quality warehouse space still hard to come by in the most sought-after locations throughout Europe, there is a lot of interest around high-density storage systems now,” Frazer adds. 

The 4D pallet shuttle AS/RS can be integrated with other warehouse processes.